Filipinos Crucified in Bloody Good Friday Ritual

Blood sprayed, nails bit into flesh and the water and fan salesmen did a roaring trade. This is Easter, Philippines style.

The small, sleepy town of Cutud, about 50 miles north of
Manila, comes alive every Good Friday in a re-enactment of the
crucifixion of Jesus Christ in this devoutly Roman Catholic
country.

Despite the orthodox Church frowning on the ritual,
participants whip themselves and a number are nailed to
makeshift wooden crosses for several minutes to atone for sins
and in some cases to seek cures for sick relatives.

Three-Inch Nails Driven

This year, 11 men and one woman underwent the crucifixion
ordeal while more than 20 young men chose to be flagellants --
whipping their backs into a bloody smear after being cut with a
glass embedded instrument.

"I am the actress of Jesus on Good Friday," said faith
healer Amparo Santos of Bulacan shortly before she had
three-inch nails driven through her right and left hands and on
to a large wooden cross.

Why does she do it? "Because Jesus is the one that has
called me for this kind of position."

While grimacing as the nails went in, the spritely
60-year-old was soon composed, chatting and laughing and even
answering questions from the assembled audience.

Santos said she was being crucified for the 14th time and
intended to go through it again next Easter.

Chito Sangalang, 45, who played the role of Christ in a
re-enactment of the original crucifixion, along with others
dressed as Pontius Pilate and Roman soldiers, was back for his
15th year, having earlier vowed that this would be his last.

Over 1,000 people, many of them foreign tourists, gathered
to witness the bloody spectacle with spectators jostling for
the best camera positions as water and fan salesmen were kept
busy in the searing heat.